Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue No. 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 14, 2016
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 14, 2016
(9)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Campbell, Cordy, Downe, Doyle, Harder, Housakos, Jaffer, Lang, Manning, Marshall, Munson, Smith (Saurel), Tannas, Tkachuk and Wells (15).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator McCoy (1).
Also in attendance: Nicole Proulx, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration; Charles Robert, Clerk of the Senate and Chief Legislative Officer; Michel Patrice, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and Chief, Parliamentary Precinct Services; Blair Armitage, Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate; Shaila Anwar, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate; Pascale Legault, Chief Financial Officer and other senior Senate officials.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
International and Interparliamentary Affairs, Senate of Canada:
Colette Labrecque-Riel, Acting Clerk Assistant and Director General;
Gérald Lafrenière, Principal Clerk, Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol.
CIBA/2016-04-14/077(P) — Addition to the In Public Agenda
The chair welcomed Senator Harder, Leader of the Government in the Senate, to the committee. The chair indicated that, at the request of Senator Harder and with the indulgence of the committee, he would be adding an item to the agenda as item two after consideration of the minutes of proceedings of March 24, 2016, in public portion, as follows: "Budget for the Leader of the Government in the Senate''.
CIBA/2016-04-14/078(P)|211| — Adoption of Minutes of Proceedings
The committee considered the minutes of proceedings of March 24, 2016, in public portion.
It was moved by Senator Batters that the minutes of proceedings of March 24, 2016, in public portion, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-04-14/079(P)|298| — Senator Harder: Budget for the Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator Harder made a presentation to the committee, requesting an increase in the budget allocated to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, to an amount totaling between $787,050 and $886,857. The committee discussed Senator Harder's proposal and the senator responded to questions.
Senator Batters requested that Senator Harder table his letter of appointment from the Prime Minister. It was agreed that this document be translated and distributed to all committee members.
Senator Munson asked that Senator Harder table a copy of his budget proposal with the committee. It was agreed that this document be also translated and distributed to all committee members.
After debate, it was agreed that further discussion on this item be deferred.
CIBA/2016-04-14/080(P)|295| — Second Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets
Senator Tannas, Chair of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, presented the Second Report of the subcommittee as follows:
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your subcommittee recommends the release of the following amounts for fiscal year 2016-2017:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Special study on Mexico)
Activity 1: Presentation to the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the Mexican Senate
(Mexico City) $ 8,952Total $ 8,952
(includes funds for a fact-finding mission; includes funds for 3 senators to travel)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Special study on Argentina)
Activity 1: Argentina (Buenos Aires)
and Chile (Santiago) $ 249,126Total $ 249,126
(includes funds for a fact-finding mission; includes funds for 12 senators to travel)
Transport and Communications (Special study on the transport of crude oil)
Activity 1: Edmonton, Calgary
and Vancouver $ 190,376Activity 2: Montreal, Saint John,
Halifax and Port Hawkesbury $ 164,276Total $ 354,652
(includes funds for public hearings and fact finding missions; includes funds for 12 senators to travel)
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT TANNAS
Chair
Senator Tannas indicated that one issue which was raised over the course of the subcommittee's discussions was in relation to the possibility of security risks that may occur when a committee is travelling. He encouraged individual committees to work with the Senate's Corporate Security Directorate in order to ensure the safety and security of those who travel on behalf of the Senate. He indicated that the subcommittee is seeking guidance on establishing clear guidelines for committees with respect to security.
After debate, it was moved by Senator Marshall that the Second Report of the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Senator Downe abstained.
CIBA/2016-04-14/081(P)|317| — 2014-15 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations Activities and Expenditures
Colette Labrecque-Riel made a statement regarding the 2014-15 Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations' Activities and Expenditures and, together with Gérald Lafrenière, answered questions.
After debate, it was moved by Senator Wells,
That, the report be tabled in the Senate at the earliest opportunity.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
CIBA/2016-04-14/082(P)|294| — International Travel Report: Senator White
The chair tabled a report regarding Senator White's participation in the Canada-Australia Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization of Youth in Brisbane, Australia, on February 10-12, 2016.
After debate, it was moved by Senator Doyle,
That, the report be tabled in the Senate at the earliest opportunity.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:58 a.m., the committee continued in camera.
At 10:11 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Nicole Proulx
Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Jodi Turner
Recording Secretary